Exercise and Glaucoma | Driving with Dr. David Richardson Ep 04

Hello I'm Dr. David Richardson. I'm a cataract and glaucoma surgeon in Southern California. I've been discussing a holistic approach to glaucoma treatment. In other words, a treatment that takes into account things other than intraocular pressure.

In one of my earlier videos I mentioned that what's good for cardiovascular health should be good for glaucoma. And exercise is one of the things that we all know is good for cardiovascular health. As far as whether it's good for glaucoma that's not as clear. So, today, I'd like to discuss some of the nuances of exercise and glaucoma. So let's get going!

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DRIVING WITH DR. DAVID RICHARDSON

# Holistic Approach to Glaucoma Series #

Episode 1: Cardiovascular Health and Glaucoma

Episode 2: Blood Pressure and Glaucoma

Episode 3: Sleep Apnea and Glaucoma

Episode 4: Exercise and Glaucoma

Episode 5: Diet, Nutrition and Glaucoma

# Learn More About Glaucoma Series #

Episode 6: Light Adaptation and Glaucoma


00:00 Introduction
00:50 Exercises that increase intraocular pressure (IOP)
01:09 Evidence that the Valsalva maneuver increases IOP
01:33 Weightlifting and glaucoma
02:37 IOP after exercise
02:57 IOP fluctuation and glaucoma
03:55 Exercise and glaucoma: general recommendations
04:56 Yoga and glaucoma
05:47 Body position and intraocular pressure
06:40 Strength of the academic literature on this topic

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About Dr. Richardson:

David Richardson, M.D. is widely recognized as one of the top cataract and glaucoma surgeons in the US and is among an elite group of glaucoma surgeons in the country performing the highly specialized canaloplasty procedure. Many patients have traveled from around the world to have canaloplasty by Dr. Richardson. Moreover, Dr. Richardson is one of only a few surgeons in the greater Los Angeles area that performs Micropulse® Cyclophotocoagulation (MP3) glaucoma laser surgery. Dr. Richardson graduated Magna Cum Laude from University of Southern California and earned his Medical Degree from Harvard Medical School. He completed his ophthalmology residency at the LAC+USC Medical Center/ Doheny Institute.

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We Listen. You'll See!℠

David D. Richardson, M.D.
Patient-Focused Ophthalmologist

San Marino Eye
2020 Huntington Drive
San Marino, CA 91108
Phone: [phone]

Patient-Focused Websites:

[billfincher]

Good intell
Exercise is grest for many paths, have noticed the past decade fighting this disease, .when I do strength train I always keep the head above the heart and don't strain nor squint my face. Focus on the muscle group and relax the other body portions

[keki]

Thank you very much doctor, God bless you for making videos to help glaucoma patients like us

[johngoh]

Thank you Dr. David, as a practitioner of Intermittent Fasting [16:8 protocol] for more than 3 years since 2020 following the Intermittent Fasting [IF] introduced by DR. JASON FUNG CANADIAN NEPHROLOGIST. I do believe IF does not increase the eye pressure of cataract and glaucoma, unlike some of the physical exercises mentioned in your video which should be avoided, if you have glaucoma.

Now comes another type of exercise which has not been mentioned by any body yet is:
“Breathing Exercises”. I am also a practitioner of this breathing exercise introduced by Mr. WIM HOF aka THE ICEMAN. “The Iceman” Wim Hof has not only helped advance scientific understanding, but also accomplished extraordinary feats of human endurance, including 26 Guinness World Records. Below are some of his most memorable achievements.
Running a half marathon above the Arctic Circle, barefoot only wearing shorts.
Swimming underneath ice for 66 meters.
Hanging on one finger at an altitude of 2, 000 meters.
Climbing the highest mountains in the world while wearing only shorts>
Running a full marathon in the Namib Desert without drinking.
Standing in a container while covered in ice cubes for extended periods of time
Shown scientifically, that the autonomous nervous system related to the innate immune response, can be wilfully influenced, something that was previously unknown to science.


Having said that, I seek your expert comment whether Fasting and Breathing exercise can increase the eye pressure of glaucoma. I may be 86 years old but fasting 16:8 daily and daily breathing exercise I feel great.

Thank you Dr. David and God bless you.

[lizzienussbaum]

Thank you so much for this video. I know these take time to make and edit, and the lives of attendings are incredibly busy. There aren't a lot of glaucoma specialists out there, and getting access to their time is incredibly challenging. As a medical student with glaucoma, I really appreciate you including your citations. Can't wait to check out the rest of your videos.

[Youba]

I'm glad I found your video. I've had glaucoma for 33 years and the medication I'm taking is causing
my eyes to become very sore. Yes, there seems to be a gray area in answers I receive from Dr.'s.

[virginieduval]

I wish I knew you when i was diagnosed! Thanks for your great work!

[corinned.]

I discover your vidéos on Glaucoma today and i really thank you very much for all this information and particularly your holistic approach. I have à treatment for both eyes and since 15 years. i am 54. I will watch all your videos👍😉🙏

[ruthyulymurillo]

Thank you Dr. Richardson for this helpful information. Stay safe and God bless you 🙏

[mychoicestory]

Thank you so much for the informative video !!

[croakgrogan]

Thanks as always for the videos, David. Really appreciate it.

[FriendlyHavenFarm]

I am so glad you are doing these. Thank you. This is not info that is easy for glaucoma patients to find answers to. What are your thoughts on jogging and using a rebounder?

[InnominateSeraph]

Dr. Richardson, thank you for your videos. They are very helpful! You mentioned that a person laying supine increases IOP, and prone increases IOP even more. How should a person sleep to best minimize their IOP? Should a person lay supine with a pillow under their upper back and head?

[joannemarion]

Very balanced and informative vid! The graphics were fun too, especially the sad face with the increased IOP haha!

[cbn]

Thanks for this video. I am a juvenier weightlifter that was told time after time to quit lufting Heavy by my closest. After seeing this video now I accept the fact that my life style needs a change after 5 years with glaucoma. Thank you dr.

[iGearFace]

I was been treated for bilateral retinoblastoma when i was young (34 now). My right eye was removed and left eye treated with radiotherapy.

My vision has been stable for many years.

I begun weightlifting 4 years ago. the first year had no issues. In my second year i noticed a small change in my vision that was close to the blind spot that is caused by my scar/tuna on the retina.

I went to an ophthalmologist and had checks and they gave me the all clear saying it is likely the scaring on my retina changing with age. I have continued weightlifting and very slowly it seems the blind spot has increased over time. I thought i was in my own head about this as it has progressed so slowly, but i can't help but feel i have had some pretty significant changes to my vision, including a big increase of my field of view not being able to see, having a harder time adjusting to light when transitioning from dark environment, and noticing a change in my ability to see contract.

I have touched base with my doctor last week as i felt like again I've had a shift for the worse. I explained my history with weightlifting and was advised to stop performing heavy lifts and move to a lighter weight/higher rep range.

I'm hugely very bummed now that i potentially could saved a lot of my vision issues if i had stopped powerlifting earlier on. But I'm curious of 2 things.

When i have had my eye examined (every 6 monthly since i've noticed changes), i get confirmation there is no issue or nothing that can be seen. Is it possible to have retinal damage from acute increased in IOP without there being any signs of it from an eye exam?

I am a little scared of the idea of this progressing further, so it seems logical to stop heavy weightlifting. But could is till be putting my self at risk for further issues even if i continue weightlifting higher reps with lighter weights?

[jonathannebelsick]

Hey doc, I'm enjoying this series to delve deeper into treating POAG beyond just IOP modulation. I'm wondering if you think that proper breathing techniques are a better alternative than having patients not lift as heavy. The benefits of strength as we age are so vast that I hate to tell a patient to back off on lifting. Would be nice to see a study on how proper breathing techniques affect lifting.

[stephlovalizano]

Hi Dr!! I m doing a weightlifting 2x week lower and upper days. I never use a weight higher than 15. Is that to much? I really don't want to do just cardio abd be flabby but I don't want to stress my optic nerve.

[peterwilliams]

I have had Glaucoma for about 6 years I an 78 year old male. For the past few months both my eyes water after taking drops, I'm using Azopt and Ganfort.

[debrasheets]

I prefer list, verses dialogue while driving.
I can't believe the doctors have told me none of this...
Are we educating doctors increase skills...update knowledge.

I am a exercise and weights...lite 2 to 5 pounds...
My pressure went to 53, now they want do surgery...all summer
Working out....
Questions
It's barometric pressure, traveling
This is when I feel pressure.
Strategies

Excellent...i have found as I age 62, I can't
Do some excerises as you have described.

Wonder about number of women w thyroid issues and eye disease. At our school
50% of teachers have eye issues, severe...
Computer usage?
Screens more helpful?

It taken me 5 years
To finally hear answers to my questions...
Verses
Come I, test, money
Reschedule approach

[auralseran]

Thank you appreciate all the information.